Seeking to snap their run of four consecutive defeats in the MLS, Houston Dynamo take a trip to the Dick's Sporting Goods Park where they face Colorado Rapids on Saturday.
The home side were denied a third consecutive win for the first time in 12 months last time out and will head into the weekend seeking to quickly return to winning ways.
Match preview
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Colorado Rapids failed to move into the playoffs places on Thursday morning when they fell to a slender 2-1 defeat against Vancouver Whitecaps at the BC Place Stadium.
Scottish forward Ryan Gauld netted a first-half brace to put the Whitecaps on their way to all three points before former LA Galaxy man Gyasi Zardes pulled one back in the 76th minute.
Prior to that, Robin Fraser's side were on a three-game unbeaten run, claiming victories over New York Red Bulls and Minnesota United in their first two outings in August before holding out for a 1-1 draw with Columbus Crew on August 14.
With 31 points from 25 games, Colorado Rapids are currently 11th in the Western Conference standings, six points and one place above Saturday's visitors, and two points off Vancouver Whitecaps in the final playoffs spot.
The Rapids now return home where they are currently on a four-game unbeaten run — claiming eight points from a possible 12 — and have lost just twice in their 13 MLS games this season.
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Elsewhere, Houston Dynamo were left empty handed once again as they failed to hold onto their lead before falling to a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Montreal last Sunday.
Romell Quioto and Alistair Johnston scored in a 13-minute spell to cancel out Sebastian Ferreira's 12th-minute opener, but after Daniel Steres restored parity for the second time in the game, Finnish forward Lassi Lappalainen struck in the 63rd minute to hand the visitors all three points.
Paulo Nagamura's men have now lost four games on the bounce, scoring four goals and shipping 13 in that time, while they have managed to pick up just four points from their last nine outings since a 2-0 victory over Chicago Fire on June 26.
While Houston Dynamo will be looking to snap their losing streak, they have lost all but one of their last eight away games across all competitions, with a 2-1 win at San Jose Earthquakes on July 18 being the only exception.
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Team News
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The midfield duo of Jack Price and Oliver Larraz are currently dealing with calf and leg injuries respectively and will sit out this weekend's encounter.
They are joined on the Colorado Rapids' injury list by Aboubacar Keita, who is yet to feature this year after picking up an ACL injury back in November.
Braian Galvan is also a long-term absentee for the home side as the Argentine forward continues his long road to full fitness after also picking up an ACL injury late last year.
Meanwhile, Houston Dynamo will be without the services of American defender Tim Parker, who missed the game against Montreal after recently testing positive for COVID-19.
In his absence, Ethan Bartlow was given the nod by Nagamura and the 22-year-old should retain his starting role, forming a centre-back pairing with Steres.
On the injury front, the Orange Crush will have to make do with the absence of Teenage Hadebe, who is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game after sustaining an ankle problem in July's game against Minnesota United.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Rosenberry, Abubakar, Wilson, Esteves; Leiva; Barrios, Acosta, Rubio, Lewis; Zardes
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Valentin, Bartlow, Steres, Junqua; Quintero, Herrera, Carrasquilla; Picault, Ferreira, Rodriguez
We say: Colorado Rapids 3-1 Houston Dynamo
Last week's defeat was a bump in the road for the rejuvenated Colorado Rapids and we expect them to come out guns blazing in search of a comeback. They take on an out-of-sorts Houston side who have lost seven of their last eight away games in all competitions. We are tipping the Rapids to come away with all three points this weekend and heap more misery on the visiting side.
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